Karina Pandya

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Rishikesh – The Soulful Haven for Wellness and Breathwork

Providing a gateway to self-awareness, mindfulness, and even a deeper connection with the universe, prana- better known as breath or life force, is the Centre of almost every activity in the misty Himalayan mountains of Rishikesh. Located on the banks of the river Ganga, the clean environment amplifies conscious breathing and practices of yoga and meditation. The crisp, oxygen-rich air is bound to rejuvenate anyone visiting this serene place. Rishikesh’s location is right at the foothills of the Himalayas and on the banks of the river Ganga is surrounded by thick and dense forests and wildlife. In fact, in Hindu philosophy, breath is linked to prana vayu, the vital energy of everyday life. Rishikesh is the perfect place for wellness retreats and yogic activities. Guided breathing sessions help release stress, achieve inner balance and detoxify one’s system. Breath is symbolised by the metaphor for life that impermanence is the only permanence and how we all need to embrace ch

Rishikesh – The Spiritual Heartbeat and Adventure Capital of India

Also known as the Yoga Capital of the World or the Gateway to the Garwal Himalayas, Rishikesh (also known as Hrishikesh) is located on the bank of the sacred and pristine river Ganges. Well known for its unique blend of spirituality, adventure, and natural beauty, Rishikesh beckons people from India and worldwide. There is something for everyone, from ancient temples to ashrams to even adrenaline-pumping activities. Home to many ashrams, one of the most famous ashrams is known as the Beatles Ashram (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram), which was once inhabited by the popular band The Beatles, who studied meditation and composed some of their best songs. Although it is currently deserted, it is said to have housed 8000 spiritual seekers and even had a bank, post office, school, etc. In addition, some other popular ashrams include Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Yoga Niketan Ashram, Dayananda Ashram, Madhuban Ashram, Sivananda Ashram and Omkarananda Ashram. In fact, some of these ashrams

Ratan Tata, ‘titan’ of Indian business, dies at 86

Ratan Tata, one of India’s most respected and influential business leaders is best known for his role as the former chairman of Tata Sons – the holding company of the Tata Group. Part of a very prominent family – the Tatas, he was born on December 28 th , 1937; his family has played a very prominent role in shaping India’s business and industrial landscape for over a century. Having studied at the very prestigious Cathedral and John Cannon School in Mumbai, he later went on to earn a degree in architecture from Cornell University which was later followed by a management program at the Harvard Business School. With this strong backbone of education, he began his career at Tata Steel in 1962 where he worked on the shop floor which helped him earn the core operations of the group. It was only in 1991 when he was appointed the chairman of Tata Sons, succeeding J.R.D. Tata. This mark has paved a transformative era for the Tata Group. It was under his stewardship that the Tata Gro

4 Mindfully Spent Days At Woods At Sasan for a Writing Retreat with Bhavna Kher

Writing has been my passion for over 18 years so when I heard about the Writing Retreat that screenwriter, brand consultant and former creative director of Ogilvy - Bhavna Kher was going to conduct I was immediately interested in attending the same. Not only this but I also wanted to connect with other writers and also sharpen my writing skills as well. It was a perfect opportunity to find inspiration within a focused environment. Moreover, the 4-day writing retreat, (September 14- September 18th) which was conducted at a luxury boutique resort provided the perfect break from city life, and mindfully focused on sharpening one’s writing skills. Having our independent quarters, we were surrounded by thickets of trees, within a lush mango orchard on the fringes of the Sasan Gir forest. It was the perfect place to calmly create a story without any disturbances. Moreover, in between the writing exercises, we went for a safari, and eco-trail, and were given bespoke Ayurvedic, Yoga and

Banganga Tank – An Ancient Heritage of Mumbai

Often known as Mumbai’s very own ‘Varanasi’, Banganga Temple Tank at Walkeshwar is one of the oldest pilgrimage sites for devotes in the city. A sacred water tank, there is a lot of mythology surrounding the origin of this temple. As I reached the Walkeshwar Bus Depot, I wondered what was the story behind Banganga as I heard so much about it. At the beginning of the walk, I met my guide from Khaki Tours and a middle-aged woman who would be accompanying me on the walk. As I looked all around me there were narrow and sneaky lanes and a side of Mumbai I had never explored before. Dating back to AD 1127 when the tank was constructed, the entire Banganga area is full of 10-20 small-sized temples, over 50 dharamshalas and one main temple which has been reconstructed over time. Surrounded by mythology and history, it is believed that the temple at Banganga came into existence when Lord Rama – the exiled hero of the epic Ramayana stopped at this site to seek the blessing of a sage, whi

Dharavi: A Thriving Mini-City within Mumbai

Previously an island with a mangrove swamp, inhabited by Koli fishermen; Dharavi’s history goes back to 1884 when the city saw a huge migration of people from rural areas to urban Mumbai. Once known as the village of Koliwada, Dharavi is the third-largest slum in the world and the largest slum in Asia; Having an informal economy, Dharavi is home to mainly 4 industries, namely the leather industry, the pottery industry, the textile industry and recycling of plastic. On 11th August, I made a trip here with a tour guide from Mumbai Dream Tours. On arriving there, it was not only eye-opening but also thought-provoking how people survived here. In this small and cramped area, a population of over 1.5 million reside and work. However, it is this labyrinth settlement which forms the microcosm of humanity in the city. With Mahim and Bandra to the west and the polluted Mithi River to the north, Dharavi is also neighbouring Kurla and Sion. Having a yearly revenue of 1 billio